ERFFA Fire Line Fall, 2012
Click HERE to read the Fall, 2012 issue of Fire Line
ERFFA Fire Line Spring, 2012
Click HERE to read the Spring, 2012 issue of Fire Line
ERFFA Fire Line July, 2011
Click HERE to read the July, 2011 issue of Fire Line
ERFFA FALL, 2009
Hello again, where did the summer of 2009 go? Not very warm and time just flies by. Also, it has been very quiet since the spring luncheon and it appears that there is no bad news to report.
I was glad to hear that some of retired members finally received the 3% yearly increase. The other retired members who did not receive the 3% increase hopefully will receive it within the year. Supposedly, the state retired association is working very hard for all retirees.
Enclosed is a copy of our most recent bank statement.
Enclosed is a copy of the Illinois Retired Association meeting July 25, 2009.
Also enclosed is a copy of an e-mail "This will make you pause to think."
Enclosed is a copy of the letter from Ed Franke.
The Holiday luncheon will be on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at 12:00 clock noon, at the Lone Tree Banquet Hall, Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois, Please call with your reservation 847-832-9520.
All retirees, spouses, widows, friends and active fire fighters are welcome. The cost is $5.00 per plate plus tip and there is a cash bar.
INJURIES:
Motorcycle accident- Joe Bush, Roger and Bonnie Bush's son was critically
injured in an accident while riding his motorcycle to work. He is an
Evanston Police Officer. He is in Lutheran General Hospital, in a coma.
Our prayers are with him and his family.
REMINDER DUES FOR ERFFA 2010 ARE DUE:
Retired members 65 years and younger = $14.00 per year
Over 65 = $8.00 per year
Over 70 = $2.00 per year
Again, I want to thank you for all who pay dues and support ERFFA.
Donations are also appreciated and stamps for the news letter are also welcomed.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Drop a note, a joke, or just a story you thought was great. ERFFA
retirees like to hear what's happening to the other member.
JOKES:
An industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to
perfect a better turkey.
His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there was never enough legs for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store get together. "Well, I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!"
They all asked how it tasted.
"I don't know," said the farmer, "I never could catch the darn thing!"
_______________________________________________________
The game show contestant was only 200 points behind the leader and was about to answer the final question -- worth 500 points!
"To be today's champion," the show's smiling host intoned, "name two of Santa's reindeer."
The contestant, a man in his early thirties, gave a sigh of relief, gratified that he had drawn such an easy question. "Ruldolph!" he said confidently, "and...Olive!"
The studio audience started to applaud (which the little sign above their heads said to do), but the clapping quickly faded into mumbling. The confused host replied, "Yes, we'll accept Ruldolph, but could you please explain 'Olive'?"
"You know," the man circled his hand forward impatiently and began to sing,
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. *Olive,* the other reindeer...
STAY HEALTHY!
BOB SCHWARZ 847-832-9520
337 ELM STREET, GLENVIEW, IL 60025-4910
Schwarz123@aol.com
_______________________________________________________
Chase Checking Summary
Beginning Balance $711.65
Deposits
72.00
Balance
$783.65
_______________________________________________________
Hi Bob,
Always happy to receive the Newsletter. We all
appreciate the hard work you do for ERFFA.
My wife and I are both in good health and enjoying
life. Hope your doing the same.
Enclosed is a check for stamps.. Few more years
I'll be 100, then you can pay me!!
Have a good one,
Ed Franke
_______________________________________________________
Illinois Association of Retired Firefighters
Minutes of the Membership Meeting July 25, 2009
President Sullivan called the meeting to order at 12:00 Noon at the Itoo Club in Peoria.
Roll Call:
There were 119 members representing 15 clubs with 17 guests.
Opening Prayer and Presentation of Colors:
The Peoria Fire Department, Local #50 Honor Guard presented the colors.
Chaplain Coons gave short opening prayer after which the Pledge of Allegiance
was recited.
Welcome and Introduction of Guests:
AFFI President Pat Devaney gave presentation on the problems throughout the
State and the 3% compounding for Pensions. HB 3606 has passed both houses
and is waiting for the Governor to sign it. There are 280 Pension Funds
downstate. There are approximately 100 retirees that will receive the
compounding and another approximate 100 that will not.
The AFFI will continue to work on legislation to correct this
disparity. President Devaney stated that there are 200 Locals in the AFFI
with 15,000 members. The biggest problem for actives is the laying off of
fire fighters.
Peoria Councilmen George Jacobs and Dan Irving gave short welcoming addresses. Chief Kent Tomblin and Fire Marshal Dave Foreman gave short introduction. Eddy Crews, AFFI Legislative Representative was also present.
Reading of Minutes:
Secretary Brandmeyer read the minutes of the Executive Board and Membership
Meetings of April 25, 2009.
Motion by Spurgetis, Second by Donald to accept the minutes of the April 25,
2009 Membership and Executive Board Meeting Minutes as read and recorded.
--carried.
Treasurer's Report:
Treasurer Jackson read the quarterly Treasurer's Report.
Motion by Lovell, Second by McGrain to accept the Treasurer's Report as read
and recorded.--carried.
Communications:
An invitation to State Rep. Dan Brady's Golf Tournament was read to members.
A thank you card from the family of Bill Horve was read. Bill Horve was a
fire fighter in Danville who was killed.
Committee Reports:
Public Relations: Editor Mike Levin requests photos and information for the
Fall Magazine and that such information be sent by September 1, 2009.
Unfinished Business:
Spurgetis asked about the motion made at last year's July meeting
concerning a page in the magazine dedicated to past deceased officers of the
IARF. The Executive Board will look into this.
New Business:
Treasurer Jackson reported to the membership concerning a letter put out by
the Barrington Fire Chief stating that the IARF telemarketing program was a
scam. Treasurer Jackson sent a letter of correction to the Barrington Fire
Chief and the Fire Department Local Union President and no response was
received.
Motion by Shutts, Second by Williams to donate $1,000.00 to North Maine, Local 2224 Fire Fighters for their emergency defense fund.--carried
Announcements:
Brooks thanked the AFFI for attending our meetings and for all of their
help. Special thanks to President Pat Devaney and to the former President
Dave Foreman.
Stout reported the costs of shirts are $24.00 and hats are $14.50.
Meisinger reminded the members of the golf tournament in Pekin on September 9, 2009.
For the Good of the Order:
Doug Aller from New Concept Co. gave presentation on new Illinois law,
entitled the Long Term Partnership Act. This is a program for eliminating
some of the costs of long term care that is partnered with Insurance Companies.
Adjournment:
Motion by McGrain, Second by Clow to adjourn.--carried
Meeting adjourned 1:05pm
John R. Brandmeyer, Secretary
_______________________________________________________
From a pilot on his trip back home...This will make you pause to think...
February 17, 2007, 0350
I was at curbside at 24th and M, Washington DC 16 Degrees with a light breeze. Going home after my second week of freezing temps to my warm home in SoCal. Take a walk on the beach, ride a horse, climb a mountain and get back to living. I'm tired of the cold.
0425
paying the taxi fare at Dulles in front of the United Airlines counter, still
cold.
0450
engaged the self-serve ticker machine and it delivers my ticket,
baggage tag and boarding pass. Hmmm, that Marine over there is all
dressed up in his dress blues a bit early this morning..."Good Morning Captain,
your looking sharp." He says, "Thank you, sir."
Pass Security and to my gate for a decaf coffee and 5 hours sleep. A quick check of the flight status monitor and a UA Flt 211 is on time. I'm up front, so how bad can that be? Hmm, there's that same Marine. He must be heading to Pendleton to see his lady at LAX for the long weekend, all dressed up like that. Or maybe not. I dunno.
The speaker system announces, "Attention in the boarding area, we'll begin boarding in 10 minutes, we have some additional duties to attend to this morning, but we'll have you out of her on time."
The Marine Captain has now been joined by five others. BINGO, I get it, he's not visiting his lady, he's an official escort. I remember doing that once, CACO duty. I still remember the names of the victim and family, The Bruno Family in Mojave - all of them, wows, that was 24 years ago.
On board, 0600:
"Good morning folks, this is the Captain. This morning we've been
attending to some additional duties, and I apologize for being 10 minutes late
for push back, but I believe we'll be early into LAX. This morning it is
my sad pleasure to announce that 1st LT Jared Landaker, USMC will be flying with
us to his Big Bear home in Southern California. Jared lost his life over
the skies of Iraq earlier this month, and today we have the honor of returning
him home along with his mother, father and brother. Please join me in
making the journey comfortable for the Landaker family and their uniformed
escort. Now sit back and enjoy your ride. We're not expecting any
turbulence until we reach the Rocky Mountain area, but we'll do what we can to
ensure a smooth ride. For those interested, you can listen in to our
progress on Channel 9.
4 hours and 35 minutes later over Big Bear MT, the AB320 makes a left roll, a steep bank and then one to the right-Nice touch. Nice tribute. Five minutes out from landing, the Captain comes on the speaker: "Ladies and Gents, after landing I'm leaving the fasten seatbelt sign on, and I ask everyone to please yield to the Landaker family. Please remain seated until all members of the family have departed the aircraft. Thank you for your patience. We are 20 minutes early."
On roll out, I notice red lights, emergency vehicles approaching. We're being escorted directly to our gate, no waiting, not even a pause. Out the left window, a dozen Marines in full dress blues. A true class act by everyone, down to a person. Way to go United Airlines for doing things RIGHT. Air Traffic Control for getting the message, and to all security personnel for your display of brotherhood.
When the family departed the aircraft everyone sat silent, then I heard a lady say, "God Bless you and your family, and thank you." Then a somber round of applause. The Captain read a prepared note from Mrs. Landaker to the effect, "Thank you all for your patience and heartfelt concern for us and our son. We sincerely appreciate the sentiment. It's good to have Jared home."
After departing the a/c I found myself along with 30 others from our flight looking out the lobby window back at the plane. Not a dry eye. It was one of the most emotional moments I've ever experienced. We all stood there silently, and watched as Jared was taken by his honor guard to an awaiting hearse. Then the motorcade slowly made it's way off the ramp.
I realized I had finally seen the silent majority. It is deep within us all. Black, Brown, White, Yellow, Red, Purple, we're all children, parents, brothers, sisters, etc - we are an American Family.
Official Report: February 7, 2007, Anbar Province, Iraq -- 1st LT Jared Landaker United States Marine Corps, from Big Bear California, gave his life in service to his country. Fatally wounded when his CH-46 helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. Jared and his crew all perished. His life was the ultimate sacrifice for a grateful military and nation.
His death occurred at the same time as Anna Nicole Smith, a drug using person with a 7th grade education of no pedigree who dominated our news for two weeks while Jared became a number on CNN. And most unfortunately, Jared's death underscores a fact that we are a military at war, not a nation at war. It has been said that Marines are at war. America is at the mall.
1st LT Landaker, a man I came to know in the sky's over America
on 17 February 2007, from me to you, aviator to aviator, I am unbelievably
humbled. It was my high honor to share your last flight. God bless
you.
